TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Dec 01, 2011 4:17 pm

I'll keep you guys updated when all is over. I was instructed to stop posting since I directed them to this site for a more realistic comparison. Things are looking up. Hopefully this will be over soon, I hope since they cancelled my rental car today.

Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:46 pm

Well, I sent you a PM with a question and can still help you but you'll need to reply first.

Plenty of bad advice and good advice here. The key is to know the difference.

Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:08 pm

^^^Just sent that PM buddy. I noticed it this morning on my way to work. Sorry.

Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:16 pm

let me know how it turns out.

Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:55 pm

Settled and not happy. I pray that nobody ever has to deal with USAA. It's a shame the safari's fell out and broke out while I was at work. Life in the ghetto.

Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:41 pm

Desijae wrote: Settled and not happy. I pray that nobody ever has to deal with USAA. It's a shame the safari's fell out and broke out while I was at work. Life in the ghetto.

I hear that about USAA all the time. Sorry it turned out that way, man.

Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:31 pm

I too am sorry to have heard about this--it's extra unfortunate as I am in the industry and take pains not to leave my customers with this sort of experience.
An injury and an experienced attorney can sometimes turn the tide, but the reality is that when the dispute is over a few thousand dollars, it is hard to justify the cost of the fight.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:36 am

I've been lurking this thread in fear.

Though not officially a poll- is there merit to a thread dedicated to an objective experience-rating for each insurance company? I'm picturing something kinda like a survey- but with real facts like days til first offer, 2nd, etc.- so that us amateurs can learn a bit of their strategies from the outside?

I have yet to excercise a claim on my 5 year-old Hagerty policy- and am about to add 2 VWs and 2 motorcycles to it- but lo, I tremble.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:07 pm

OTO X58 wrote: Desijae wrote: Settled and not happy. I pray that nobody ever has to deal with USAA. It's a shame the safari's fell out and broke out while I was at work. Life in the ghetto.

I hear that about USAA all the time. Sorry it turned out that way, man.

I've had them for about 10 years, have put in as many claims, and have yet to be disappointed. Granted, none of the claims were for vintage vehicles, but they've been great even regarding "contents" that were lost in instances, not asking for towing receipts, etc, etc. Plus, they give me money back every year. Sorry for everyone else's problems. Maybe I do have some good luck after all.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:40 pm

When my bug was crushed in 2008 by an Escalade, I was given a lowball offer, I contested, scoured the samba, interweb and local ads for comps and then sent them my realistic price. Sadly, it was well below my investment but was accurate for what bugs in the same condition mine was in were going for and was still more than twice what the initially offered. It took about 2 weeks start to finish for the car claim. The medical claim took more than 2 years :shock: . Only after sending my bug to CA to be parted out and selling my 66 Deluxe 13 window to pay off medical collections, did I get a settlement that could cover another VW build. Accidents suck and I'm sorry you're going through this.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:02 pm

zozo wrote: OTO X58 wrote: Desijae wrote: Settled and not happy. I pray that nobody ever has to deal with USAA. It's a shame the safari's fell out and broke out while I was at work. Life in the ghetto.

I hear that about USAA all the time. Sorry it turned out that way, man.

I've had them for about 10 years, have put in as many claims, and have yet to be disappointed. Granted, none of the claims were for vintage vehicles, but they've been great even regarding "contents" that were lost in instances, not asking for towing receipts, etc, etc. Plus, they give me money back every year. Sorry for everyone else's problems. Maybe I do have some good luck after all.

When they're YOUR insurance company, that's one thing. But when someone with that insurance hits your car, it's a whole different ballgame. They have a reputation for being very ruthless and cutthroat, lowballing people and making ridiculous ultimatums.

After hearing enough stories like the one in this thread, I have vowed never to do business with them. And I hope to god I don't have to deal with them if one of their clients hits my car.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:18 pm

OTO X58 wrote: zozo wrote: OTO X58 wrote: Desijae wrote: Settled and not happy. I pray that nobody ever has to deal with USAA. It's a shame the safari's fell out and broke out while I was at work. Life in the ghetto.

I hear that about USAA all the time. Sorry it turned out that way, man.

I've had them for about 10 years, have put in as many claims, and have yet to be disappointed. Granted, none of the claims were for vintage vehicles, but they've been great even regarding "contents" that were lost in instances, not asking for towing receipts, etc, etc. Plus, they give me money back every year. Sorry for everyone else's problems. Maybe I do have some good luck after all.

When they're YOUR insurance company, that's one thing. But when someone with that insurance hits your car, it's a whole different ballgame. They have a reputation for being very ruthless and cutthroat, lowballing people and making ridiculous ultimatums.

After hearing enough stories like the one in this thread, I have vowed never to do business with them. And I hope to god I don't have to deal with them if one of their clients hits my car.

It's pretty effed up, but it sounds like they're doing what an insurance company should, and I would wager most, do. I wonder if the occupy nut jobs have them on their naughty list.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:18 pm

Thanks everyone. This has been a bummer on all fronts. I got the check to give to the towing company on Friday. That's one less phone call now. USAA refused to let me keep my Bus since it had already had multiple bids on it at auction. It was sold for $1500 before it even left my property. I have yet to receive anything and have complied with all they instructed me to do. My title has been taken as so my vehicle and still nothing. Lesson learned: Get classic vehicle insurance and see a doctor. I'm not gonna talk about that one.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:29 pm

You dont need classic vehicle ins. You just need to not settle with them easily.

When erics bus was wrecked, I had the tow company take the bus to my house from the accident site. The adj came here. I refused their offers multiple times, also kept the rental car they provided until the check from them was in my hands (they paid the rental bill in full).

I told them I wanted to keep the bus and they agreed as part of the settlement. There was 4k in suspension under it that I didnt want to lose.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:43 pm

zozo wrote:

It's pretty effed up, but it sounds like they're doing what an insurance company should, and I would wager most, do.

I'm not following your logic. The way I see it, an insurance company is there to insure their clients. If one of their clients has an accident that causes property damage, the insurance company is there to pay for that damage. Saying that they should use their muscle at that point to short change people who did nothing wrong is ridiculous.

Profitable? Yes, probably. What they "should" do? Absolutely not.

But the bottom line, if you're looking forward to your insurance company doing that to the person you hit, then hang on to them. I won't use them for that very point, because I'm not OK with that level of unfairness. I see it as a personal responsibility issue. Sort of like avoiding companies who outsource, if possible. I think it's pretty selfish to want your insurance company to screw people, just to save you $6 a month on your insurance.

zozo wrote:
I wonder if the occupy nut jobs have them on their naughty list.

Not only is that way out of context, it's completely unnecessary. Please keep your political opinions to yourself, or take it to the appropriate forum.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:24 pm

OTO X58 wrote: zozo wrote:

It's pretty effed up, but it sounds like they're doing what an insurance company should, and I would wager most, do.

I'm not following your logic. The way I see it, an insurance company is there to insure their clients. If one of their clients has an accident that causes property damage, the insurance company is there to pay for that damage. Saying that they should use their muscle at that point to short change people who did nothing wrong is ridiculous.

Profitable? Yes, probably. What they "should" do? Absolutely not.

But the bottom line, if you're looking forward to your insurance company doing that to the person you hit, then hang on to them. I won't use them for that very point, because I'm not OK with that level of unfairness. I see it as a personal responsibility issue. Sort of like avoiding companies who outsource, if possible. I think it's pretty selfish to want your insurance company to screw people, just to save you $6 a month on your insurance.

zozo wrote:
I wonder if the occupy nut jobs have them on their naughty list.

Not only is that way out of context, it's completely unnecessary. Please keep your political opinions to yourself, or take it to the appropriate forum.

I'm simply saying that if you say to them, "Hey, my bus is worth 35,000", and they say okay and pay it, they won't be in business very long, and whoever they have as clients will be paying outrageous rates. It sounds like those that have prepared and waited it out, have come out satisfied in the end. If they can offer less than the desired amount, and the person accepts it, then like any business transaction, both should be happy. Kind of like buying and selling vehicles. I'm selling a bug way to cheap, the person buying it is thrilled with the deal, and I'm getting what I asked, so it's all good. The insurance company offers a price, the claimant accepts it, so it's all good. I don't think USAA deserves to be demonized given that they do the exact same thing as every other viable insurance company out there. At least those that intend to be in business long term.

As for the politics, this isn't the place for it, you're right. In this case it's not corporate greed, it's watching out for their members and their best financial interests. If they make a crapload of money in the process, good for them. It's called capitalism, and it's why this is the greatest country in the world. Embrace the horror.

And by the way, USAA was nearly $2900 a year cheaper. Slightly more than $6 a month.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:38 pm

my65vert wrote: You dont need classic vehicle ins. You just need to not settle with them easily.

When erics bus was wrecked, I had the tow company take the bus to my house from the accident site. The adj came here. I refused their offers multiple times, also kept the rental car they provided until the check from them was in my hands (they paid the rental bill in full).

I told them I wanted to keep the bus and they agreed as part of the settlement. There was 4k in suspension under it that I didnt want to lose.

I did the same thing. As soon as I was out of the hospital, I drug by busted butt to the tow yard and told them to return it to my house. Until you sign the offer, the vehicle and conditions of the offer are under your control. That makes it suck even more knowing how poorly they treated you.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:30 pm

$2900 a year cheaper than who, exactly? USAA isn't the cheapest insurance company out there, so if you're all about being cheap, you can do better.

It's not about throwing out a lowball offer and hoping that the victim will take it. All insurance companies do that, not just USAA. The problem people have with them are the aggressive tactics, bordering on fraud. You can call it basic capitalism if you want, if that's what helps you justify it to yourself. But you should at least google it and read up on it, since you're hiring this company and may possibly do this to someone else in the future. Capitalism is great, but when you find out that a company is being socially irresponsible, does that do anything to change your mind about "getting a deal"? It does change mine.

Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:58 pm

When I started in claims, the training with probable total losses was simple.
1. Move the car ASAP from the tow yard to COPART or IAA or some other auto salvor who did not charge the insurer storage fees. Tow yard storage fees are like $90 a day so you can see why this is done.
2. Figure out, as quickly as possible, the value of the car and make the owner an offer, cutting off the rental two days after the check was cut.
3. Issue payment even if the value of the car is in dispute.

This is particularly favorable to the third party insurer once they have possession of the car. The clock is no longer running, the owner of the car no longer possesses it OR a check, and they need money. If there is a dispute, only the real threat of protracted litigation, coupled with the cash to back it up gets the attention of the adjusters' manager (a total loss adjuster is typically an entry-level position and they have very little latitude to make decisions based on their personal opinions).

This is why you should have collision coverage on your cars, get insurance through an INDEPENDENT agent, and keep your business with that agent as long as possible. It costs a little more but when you have a dispute, you have someone going to bat for you and the policy provides an arbitration process that allows you to resolve disputes without having to get a second mortgage to pay for the legal fees.

Sadly nobody tells you this until after you have a negative experience.

Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:35 pm

OTO X58 wrote: $2900 a year cheaper than who, exactly? USAA isn't the cheapest insurance company out there, so if you're all about being cheap, you can do better.

It's not about throwing out a lowball offer and hoping that the victim will take it. All insurance companies do that, not just USAA. The problem people have with them are the aggressive tactics, bordering on fraud. You can call it basic capitalism if you want, if that's what helps you justify it to yourself. But you should at least google it and read up on it, since you're hiring this company and may possibly do this to someone else in the future. Capitalism is great, but when you find out that a company is being socially irresponsible, does that do anything to change your mind about "getting a deal"? It does change mine.

Not to go off topic, but this statement upset me.

$2900?

Everyone's insurance costs differ. The amount you pay for your individual car insurance has nothing to do with how shitty or good a company is. Your annual premium is not a judge of company quality.

I pay over $17000 a year in insurance. But my vehicles/values/and coverage differs from yours.

I'm sure IF I had tickets/accidents or something major like a DUI I would be paying substancially more.
Everyone pays a different amount because you select your coverage.
I have very high limits of liability as well as other coverages on my vehicles that you may not have.

You can't compare like that.